Barrels of fry grease spilled near Spokane River

A park ranger said two barrels of fry grease were spilled near the Spokane River at the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility in Northwest Spokane Tuesday morning.

Our public lands are places most of us use to relax, recreate, or just be closer to nature but officials at Riverside State Park say more and more, people are using the area to dump trash, like the two barrels of grease found spilled just after 8 a.m. Tuesday.

“This isn’t right, right here,” Riverside State Park Ranger John Tillison said.

Fry Grease dumped at Riverside State Park

Tillison said every precaution was taken. The fact that the spill was so close to the Spokane River meant the road needed to be closed for hazmat crews. Upon their arrival it was determined the substance was fry grease, likely dumped there on purpose.

“That is a common thing that will happen we’ve had it in the past where people have barrels and put another chemical inside of it so we have to take every precaution available and possible for all of the public,” he said.

Traffic was blocked on Aubrey L. White Parkway from the facility to the area around Downriver Golf Course as firefighters investigated for about an hour. They left the scene around 9 a.m.

There’s no information on where the fry grease came from, but if you have any information about who may be involved call Crime Check at 456-2233.